Phi Phi Island, Krabi

Known as the 'jewels of the Andaman Sea ', the six islands in the Ko Phi Phi group are Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, Bamboo Island , Yung Island , Bida Nok and Bida Nai. The first is the only one inhabited; the rest can be visited on organised day trips from the mainland, or from Phi Phi Don itself.

Despite the island’s unceasing popularity - thanks in part to its starring role in the blockbuster movie The Beach - a visit should be a top priority on any Krabi holiday. In a province filled with amazing and dramatic scenery, Phi Phi is even more amazing and more dramatic! Picture towering green cliffs, rising up from a glittering turquoise sea, and endless white sandy bays dotted along the shore, and you begin to have some idea of what awaits you here. But even after seeing the photos, the reality never fails to blow people away.

Phi Phi Leh Island , the most beautiful of the six, is shaped like a piece from a jigsaw puzzle, with sheer walls concealing hidden lagoons, and the stunning Maya Bay - which has the Hollywood seal of approval, thanks to the film.

Bamboo and Yung Islands also boast some fantastic beaches; while Bida Nok and Nai are little more than large rocks, used mainly by divers, who say the underwater scenery here is among the most beautiful in Krabi. All around the Phi Phi Islands , marine life is abundant and snorkelling stops will be a feature of any tour. Visibility here is excellent - up to 20 metres - and the variety of coral and fish you will see is amazing.

If you wish to stay in Phi Phi to take full advantage of what the islands have to offer, this is possible in one of the many hotels and resorts on the largest island of Phi Phi Don.

As most people are aware, this island was devastated in the December 2004 tsunami. The densely-populated, thin strip of land between its famous twin bays was completely wiped out, and around 700 people - Thais and foreigners - lost their lives in the disaster that occurred on Boxing Day morning, at the peak of the tourist season.

The island is now, however, back on its feet, with the majority of buildings reconstructed and the local businesses keen to welcome people back; and there is every sign that this high season will see a return to normality after the difficult months in the early part of 2005. If anything, the tsunami disaster ultimately levelled the unchecked and highly commercial, sometimes haphazard development that had come to spoil the island recently.

Most people, however, choose to stay in town, where they can enjoy a good selection of restaurants dotted along the narrow lanes of the village, as well as the legendary Phi Phi nightlife.

While the days here may be sleepy and laidback, at night the island wakes up and goes crazy. Large beachside bars and clubs hold regular parties with DJs, fireshows and vast quantities of alcohol for their mainly young clientele.

There are also a few civilised corners of Ton Sai village, for those who prefer a quiet drink, as well as some top class European and Thai restaurants, and the ubiquitous internet café and souvenir shop.

Daytime activities, for those who are not hung over, include trips to the islands, sea-kayaking, rock climbing and, of course, diving. The majority of the dive sites in Krabi are located in or near the Phi Phi Islands and there are many dive schools that can organise trips and courses here. There are also several watersports available on the beach in Lohdalum Bay , including parasailing, banana-boat rides and pedalos.

The short hike up to the viewpoint behind Ton Sai village, which affords a breathtaking view over the twin bays of Ton Sai and Lohdalum, is also recommended but go early in the morning or at sunset to avoid the heat.


Getting to Phi Phi
Phi Phi Don is accessible by daily passenger ferries from Krabi Town , Ao Nang, Ko Lanta and Phuket. The islands lie around 45km from the mainland to the west (Phuket) and east (Krabi) and journey time is around 1.5 hours. The ferry stops at the main pier in the village of Ton Sai , where the majority of the resorts, shops and restaurants are concentrated. From here, it is possible to take a longtail boat to the more remote beaches to the north and west of the island, where there are also a few resorts.